Ross Gregory

Former Sunderland star Jordan Henderson will captain England in their friendly against Spain tomorrow night.

The midfielder will take the armband for the second time in the absence of Wayne Rooney.

Rooney is an injury doubt for the game, though Southgate said he wouldn’t have started the friendly anyway, and confirmed Henderson will captain the side.

Rooney and Ryan Bertrand both missed training with “minor issues” and Southgate said both will be assessed to see if they will be available for selection.

Southgate conceded the injuries make both players a doubt, but said he would not have named Manchester United forward Rooney in his starting line-up regardless.

He told a press conference: “Both are being assessed, they had minor issues this morning, so we’ll have a look at them as the day goes on.

“They weren’t ready to train today so they must be a doubt, but we’ll have to look later.

“I wouldn’t start Wayne in this game anyway, so we’ll decide which route to go.”

Southgate did not reveal who will take Rooney’s spot in England’s XI, but confirmed Henderson – who skippered England against Slovenia – would wear the captain’s armband.

In naming the Liverpool midfielder as captain for the match, Southgate also voiced his belief that it was important England have more players who can step up to lead the side.

He said: “Jordan Henderson will be captain. But I believe we’ve got several leaders, one sitting next to me (Joe Hart) who has shown a great maturity since I’ve been in the roles, and I don’t think we can have just one captain.

“At times too much of that responsibility has laid with Wayne and we need to share that. There are leaders already and other potential leaders who I think can step forward.

“And once you have a team full of those players then we’ll have a lot of success.”